Team Dynetics to continue HEL TVD development
Dynetics, Lockheed Martin and its partners have received a $10 million contract from the US Army to continue development for the next phase of the High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL TVD) programme, a 100kW class laser weapon system, Lockheed Martin announced on 6 August.
Under the contract, Dynetics will serve as prime contractor, while Lockheed Martin will provide the laser subsystem, as well as other key subsystems.
The team recently completed a system requirements review and technical baseline update. The next step in the programme will be the preliminary design review in January 2019.
Team Dynetics is one of two remaining contractors competing to build the demonstrator that will be tested in 2022. The winning contractor will be awarded a contract option to finish the design, build and integrate the laser weapon system onto an army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) platform and conduct field testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Iain McKinnie, business development lead for Advanced Laser Solutions and Strategy at Lockheed Martin, said: ‘The proliferation of hostile unmanned aerial systems and rockets, artillery and mortars present an increasing threat to deployed US troops. Laser weapons offer a deep magazine and very low cost per shot making them ideally suited to complement existing kinetic energy weapons to address intense UAS swarms and RAM raids.'
More from Land Warfare
-
![Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up]()
Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up
The country’s air defence batteries will be equipped with new command posts, wheeled communication nodes and radios. The system itself is in service with more than 14 countries with 13 systems in Ukraine.
-
![Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet]()
Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
-
![DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret]()
DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret
The partnership between Croatia’s DOK-ING and Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets reflects an effort to combine ground robots and with improved capabilities and new roles and follows Rheinmetall presenting its Ox with Dispatch charging docks from Valinor.
-
![British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again]()
British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again
The UK’s effort to replace thousands of vehicles across a dozen base vehicle types has had a troubled history and statements from the UK’s Defence Minster Luke Pollard indicate change may be on the way.
-
![EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward]()
EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward
EOS Defence Systems officially launched its Slinger anti-drone system in 2023. The system features a remote weapon station, visual sensors and a Northrop Grumman 30mm cannon with specially designed ammunition, combined with EOS’s stabilisation and pointing technology.
